Plane diverted; unruly passenger hospitalized in Minneapolis

WCCO reports a Delta flight from Baltimore to Salt Lake City stopped in Minneapolis Friday night to remove a passenger who was causing a disturbance.

The incident happened at about 8:30 p.m. on Delta flight 1189. Pilots asked for help to get her off the plane after it landed.

The unidentified woman was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center, and the flight continued to its destination.

The Star Tribune reports that the woman was intoxicated. The incident remains under investigation. Because the disturbance occurred mid-flight, any charges would be filed by the FBI or Transportation Security Administration.

ADVERTISEMENT

Thanks for watching!

In December, Business Insider reported that unruly passengers are becoming a serious problem for airlines. In 2011, there was one unruly passenger every 12,000 flights, according to the International Air Transport Association. That was up significantly from 2007.

The IATA report said, in part: "Perhaps, we could assume that unruly behavior reflects a broader societal problem where anti-social behaviour is becoming more and more prevalent," and "in the contained, stressful environment of a commercial aircraft in flight, the type of behavior which might be tolerable in the street takes on a whole different nature."

ADVERTISEMENT

Thanks for watching!

ADVERTISEMENT

Thanks for watching!

The report recommended clarifying who has jurisdiction on international flights, and increasing prosecution of unruly passengers.

McDonald's french fries or Big Macs are no longer an option at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International airport, at least for now. The Star Tribune reports the fast-food chain was forced out of its location in Concourse G once Delta Air Lines decided it wanted to give travelers some new options. The Golden Arches can relocate within the Humphrey terminal, but has yet to do so.